Now that you have your digital camera, you need to know how to use it! Taking great photographs is more than just pointing it and pressing the shutter button – you need to set the lens, choose the setting and check the lighting, too. In fact, today’s digital cameras are loaded with features like auto-editing and auto-adjusting that even a beginner can figure out. Read on to discover the best digital camera tricks and tips to get the most out of your purchase.
Your camera should have an expandable memory card slot. Choose the biggest memory card you can find (or afford) and load it into the camera. The reason you need a lot of memory is so you’re able to take pictures at the highest resolution. You always want the “superfine” setting if you have it. If your memory card is too small, you will quickly run out of room on your camera – not a good situation when you’re in the middle of an excellent photography opportunity!
Avoid lopsided or tilted photographs by finding a natural leveling point in the landscape. Line up your viewfinder with the ground, the sky or a vertical tree so your photo doesn’t look “off.” It can be difficult to get a perfectly straight photo when you’re peering at the tiny, three-inch LCD screen.
Close Up mode, which is found in most digital cameras, is perfect for portraits and wildlife shots. There’s nothing worse than trying to show off your photo of a bear or moose that looks like a brown blob surrounded by miles of trees. If you’re out in the wilderness trying to get nature shots, set your camera to Close Up mode beforehand.
A polarizing filter is a necessity for every serious digital photographer. It makes the colors pop out and reduces flashes and glares in the photos. One little trick you can use if you don’t have a polarizing filter is to hold up a pair of sunglasses to your camera’s lens and then take the photo. It works best if the eyeglasses are high-quality and very clean.
